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Abstract:

Collecting and distributing information related to recent content
publication activity of an instant messaging (IM) user provides other
users in a network with timely, relevant information about people known
to the user or within the same social network. A user participating in a
social network can quickly and efficiently perceive new information
related to other users (referred to as co-users) in a social network by
reviewing the co-users' recent content publication activity. A user may
be made able to do so without requiring the co-user to send a
communication directly to the user regarding the new facts or new
content, and also without requiring the user to actively browse or
request information about the co-user.

Claims:

1. A method of indicating recent content publication activity in a social
network, comprising: accessing identifiers of online co-users that
populate a list of co-users that are known to an online publishing
identity that has engaged in recent content publication activity and has
associated publication preference information; selecting an identifier of
another online identity from the co-user list; determining whether the
online publishing identity wants to share with the other online identity
the recent content publication activity, based on the publication
preference information; and displaying an indication that the online
publishing identity has engaged in the recent content publication
activity (1) when the determining is positive and (2) when the other
online identity views either (i) a profile of the online publishing
identity, or (ii) a feed of recent content publication activity of
co-users associated with the other online identity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining includes determining
that the publication preference information includes an indication that
the publishing online identity desires to share recent content
publication activity with a particular class of online identities to
which the second online identity belongs.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining identity includes
determining that the publication preference information includes a
content publication activity type that is the same as the type engaged in
by the publishing online identity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining includes comparing
content associated with the recent content publication activity with
content stored in the publication preference information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication that
the publishing online identity has engaged in recent content publication
activity, wherein the received indication includes an indication that the
publishing online identity has engaged in creation of at least one of a
digital asset, a communication tool, and a community-related asset.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication that
the publishing online identity has engaged in recent content publication
activity, the indication including at least one of an indication that the
publishing online identity has performed an addition, deletion, a change
to a digital asset, a communication tool, and a community-related asset;
and an indication that the publishing online identity has engaged in
creation of, or an update to, a third party service provider account
owned by the publishing online identity.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling other online
identities to search for recent content publication activity associated
with the publishing online identity by providing at least one of a
desired type of recent content publication activity, an identifier
associated with recent content publication activity, and a keyword
associated with the recent content publication activity.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting to the second
online identity a display representation of the activity type, including
at least one of an image, an animation, a sound, a pop-up, text,
scrolling text, and a scrolling image.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving information that
indicates an activity type associated with the recent content publication
activity; and selecting a display representation of the activity type for
display to the second online identity.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the activity type associated with the
recent content publication activity includes creation of at least one of
a user profile, an online journal, a blog, a playlist, a photograph
album, and an account associated with a third party service provider.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the activity type associated with the
recent content publication activity includes an update to at least one of
a user profile, an online journal entry, a blog entry, a playlist, a
photograph album, and an account associated with a third party service
provider.

12. A system for indicating recent content publication activity, the
system comprising: at least one processor; and a computer memory storage
system storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one
processor, causes the at least one processor to perform a method
including: accessing identifiers of online co-users that populate a list
of co-users that are known to an online publishing identity that has
engaged in recent content publication activity and has associated
publication preference information; selecting an identifier of another
online identity from the co-user list; determining whether the online
publishing identity wants to share with the other online identity the
recent content publication activity, based on the publication preference
information; and displaying an indication that the online publishing
identity has engaged in the recent content publication activity (1) when
the determining is positive and (2) when the other online identity views
either (i) a profile of the online publishing identity, or (ii) a feed of
recent content publication activity of co-users associated with the other
online identity.

13. A computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed
by at least one processor, implement a method of indicating recent
content publication activity, the method comprising: accessing
identifiers of online co-users that populate a list of co-users that are
known to an online publishing identity that has engaged in recent content
publication activity and has associated publication preference
information; selecting an identifier of another online identity from the
co-user list; determining whether the online publishing identity wants to
share with the other online identity the recent content publication
activity, based on the publication preference information; and displaying
an indication that the online publishing identity has engaged in the
recent content publication activity (1) when the determining is positive
and (2) when the other online identity views either (i) a profile of the
online publishing identity, or (ii) a feed of recent content publication
activity of co-users associated with the other online identity.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application relates to indicating recent content publication
activity by a user.

BACKGROUND

[0002] An instant messaging (IM) user is provided with status information
about co-users whose screen names are included in a co-user list owned by
the user. The status information indicates whether a particular co-user
is online, offline, available, or not available (e.g., away). If the
co-user is not available, the status information can include an away
message.

SUMMARY

[0003] In a first general aspect, recent content publication activity by a
publishing online identity is indicated. A remote server is configured to
determine that the publishing online identity has engaged in recent
content publication activity. The remote server is configured to
determine a type of recent content publication activity associated with
the recent content publication activity. The remote server is configured
to provide an indication that the publishing online identity has engaged
in recent content publication activity. The indication includes an
identifier corresponding to the publishing online identity and
information that enables display of the type of recent content
publication activity engaged in by the publishing online identity. A
client is configured to receive the indication that the publishing online
identity has engaged in recent content publication activity. The client
is configured to access co-user online identifiers that are associated
with a second online identity and that are included by the second online
identity in a co-user list that reveals to the second online identity an
online availability of co-user online identities corresponding to the
co-user online identifiers within the co-user list. The client is
configured to determine that the identifier corresponding to the
publishing online identity is included among the co-user online
identifiers included in the co-user list. The client is configured to
access publication preference information associated with the publishing
online identity, and based on the publication preference information,
determine whether the publishing online identity desires to make the
recent content publication activity accessible to at least one other
online identity. The client is configured to access co-user list
preference information associated with the second online identity, and,
based on the preference information, determine whether the second online
identity desires to receive an indication of recent content publication
activity. The client is configured to render a representation of the type
in association with the identifier in the co-user list to indicate to the
second online identity that the publishing online identity has engaged in
the recent content publication activity.

[0004] In a second general aspect, recent content publication activity by
a publishing online identity is indicated. An indication that the
publishing online identity has engaged in recent content publication
activity is received at a client. An identifier is provided to identify
the publishing online identity. Information that enables the client to
display a representation of a type associated with the recent content
publication activity is received. The representation of the type is
displayed in association with the identifier to indicate that the
publishing online identity has engaged in the recent content publication
activity.

[0005] With respect to at least the second general aspect, implementations
may include one or more of the following. For example, receiving
information that enables the client to display a representation of a type
associated with the recent content publication activity may include
receiving the representation of the type associated with the recent
content publication activity. Receiving information that enables the
client to display a representation of a type associated with the recent
content publication activity may include receiving information that
indicates the type associated with the recent content publication
activity, and selecting a representation of the type for display.
Receiving information that enables the client to display a representation
of a type associated with the recent content publication activity may
include receiving information that describes the recent content
publication activity, determining a type associated with the recent
content publication activity based on the received information, and
selecting a representation of the type for display.

[0006] Co-user online identifiers that are associated with a second online
identity and that are included by the second online identity in a co-user
list that reveals to the second online identity an online availability of
co-user online identities corresponding to the co-user online identifiers
within the co-user list may be accessed. In response to determining that
the publishing online identity is included among the co-user identifiers,
publication preference information associated with the publishing online
identity may be accessed. Based on the publication preference
information, and in response to determining whether the publishing online
identity desires to share the recent content publication activity,
co-user list preference information associated with the second online
identity may be accessed. Based on the preference information, and in
response to determining whether the second online identity desires to
receive an indication of recent content publication activity, the
representation of the type may be rendered in association with the
identifier based on the determinations.

[0007] Determining that the publishing online identity desires to share
the recent content publication activity may include determining that the
publication preference information includes an indication that the
publishing online identity desires to share recent content publication
activity with the second online identity. Determining that the
publication preference information includes an indication that the
publishing online identity desires to share recent content publication
activity with the second online identity may include determining that the
publication preference information includes an indication that the
publishing online identity desires to share recent content publication
activity with a particular class of online identities to which the second
online identity belongs. The particular class may include online
identities other than the second online identity that are identified in a
selection by the publishing online identity. The particular class may
include particular online identities identified in a selection by the
publishing online identity.

[0008] Determining that the publishing online identity desires to share
the recent content publication activity may include determining that the
publication preference information includes an indication that the
publishing online identity desires to share recent content publication
activity having a type that is the same as the identified type, or based
on content associated with the recent content publication activity.

[0009] Rendering a representation of the type in association with the
identifier may include rendering the representation of the type in
association with the identifier in a co-user list. Rendering a
representation of the type in association with the identifier may include
rendering the representation of the type in a profile associated with the
co-user.

[0010] Rendering a representation of the type in association with the
identifier may include rendering a representation of the type in
association with the identifier in a co-user information ticker. Only
representations of types of recent content publication activity and
associated identifiers may be rendered in the co-user information ticker.
Less than a threshold amount of information may be rendered in the
co-user information ticker. The threshold amount of information may be
related to a number of co-users about which recent content publication
activity information is provided, an amount of recent content publication
activity information provided for a particular co-user, or a total amount
of information related to recent content publication activity rendered
during a particular time period.

[0011] Receiving an indication that the publishing online identity has
engaged in recent content publication activity may include receiving an
indication that the publishing online identity engaged in activity
directed to an intermediary for access by other online identities.

[0012] Receiving an indication that the publishing online identity has
engaged in recent content publication activity may include receiving an
indication that the publishing online identity has engaged in creation of
a digital asset, a communication tool, or a community-related asset.
Receiving an indication that the publishing online identity has engaged
in recent content publication activity may include receiving an
indication that the publishing online identity has engaged in creation of
a digital asset that includes an electronic file stored in an electronic
data store and associated with the publishing online identity. Receiving
an indication that the publishing online identity has engaged in recent
content publication activity may include receiving an indication that the
publishing online identity has engaged in creation of a communication
tool that includes an electronic implement used by the publishing online
identity to communicate with other online identities and engage in social
networking. Social networking may occur if the publishing online identity
communicates with other online identities, views digital assets
associated with other online identities, or shares digital assets with
other online identities. Receiving an indication that the publishing
online identity has engaged in recent content publication activity may
include receiving an indication that the publishing online identity has
engaged in creation of a community-related asset that includes content
shared among the publishing online identity and other online identities.

[0013] Receiving an indication that the publishing online identity has
engaged in recent content publication activity may include receiving an
indication that the publishing online identity has performed an addition,
deletion, or change to a digital asset, a communication tool, or a
community-related asset. Receiving an indication that the publishing
online identity has engaged in recent content publication activity may
include receiving an indication that the publishing online identity has
engaged in creation of, or an update to, a third party service provider
account owned by the publishing online identity.

[0014] Determining a type associated with the recent content publication
activity may include receiving an indication of a type associated with
the recent content publication activity from a remote server. Determining
a type associated with the recent content publication activity may
include accessing recent content publication activity type information,
comparing the recent content publication activity with the accessed
information, and based on the comparison, identifying a type associated
with the recent content publication activity.

[0015] The type associated with the recent content publication activity
may include creation of a user profile, an online journal, a blog, a
playlist, a photograph album, or an account associated with a third party
service provider. The type associated with the recent content publication
activity may include an update to a user profile, an online journal
entry, a blog entry, a playlist, a photograph album, or an account
associated with a third party service provider. Rendering a
representation of the type may include rendering an image, an animation,
a sound, a pop-up, text, scrolling text, or a scrolling image.

[0016] Other online identities may be selectively enabled to view the
recent content publication activity by manipulating the representation.
Other online identities may be enabled to search for recent content
publication activity associated with the publishing online identity by
providing a desired type of recent content publication activity, an
identifier associated with recent content publication activity, or a
keyword associated with the recent content publication activity. Other
online identities may be enabled to sort indications of recent content
publication activity based on a type of recent content publication
activity, an identifier associated with the recent content publication
activity, or a keyword associated with the recent content publication
activity.

[0017] An indication of the recent content publication activity by the
publishing online identity may be rendered within a co-user list, a user
profile associated with the publishing online identity, a pop-up window
that is rendered when the identifier associated with the publishing
online identity is selected from within a co-user list, or a co-user
information ticker. An indication of the recent content publication
activity by the publishing online identity may be rendered in association
with indications of recent content publication activity by other
publishing online identities.

[0018] In a third general aspect, recent content publication activity by a
publishing online identity is indicated. In response to determining that
the publishing online identity has engaged in recent content publication
activity, a type associated with the recent content publication activity
is determined. An identifier is provided to identify the publishing
online identity. Information is provided to a client that enables the
client to display a representation of the type in association with the
identifier in order to indicate that the publishing online identity has
engaged in the recent content publication activity.

[0019] With respect to at least the third general aspect, implementations
may include one or more of the following. For example, providing
information that enables the client to display a representation of the
type in association with the identifier may include providing the
representation of the type associated with the recent content publication
activity to the client. Providing information that enables the client to
display a representation of the type in association with the identifier
may include providing information that indicates the type associated with
the recent content publication activity, and enabling the client to
select a representation of the type for display. Providing information
that enables a client to display a representation of the type in
association with the identifier may include providing information that
describes the recent content publication activity, enabling the client to
determine a type associated with the recent content publication activity
based on the received information, and enabling the client to select a
representation of the type for display.

[0020] Determining that the publishing online identity has engaged in
recent content publication activity may include receiving an indication
that the publishing online identity has engaged in recent content
publication activity. Receiving an indication that the publishing online
identity has engaged in recent content publication activity may include
receiving an indication that the publishing online identity has engaged
in recent content publication activity in connection with a third party
service account from a third party service provider associated with the
account.

[0021] Determining that the publishing online identity has engaged in
recent content publication activity may include monitoring at least one
of digital assets, communication tools, and community-related assets
associated with the publishing online identity, and, based on detecting
that the publishing online identity has created, or updated, at least one
of the monitored digital assets, communication tools, or
community-related assets, determining that the publishing online identity
has engaged in recent content publication activity.

[0022] Determining a type associated with the recent content publication
activity may include receiving an indication of a type associated with
the recent content publication activity in association with determining
that the publishing online identity has engaged in recent content
publication activity. Determining a type associated with the recent
content publication activity may include accessing recent content
publication activity type information, and, based on comparing the recent
content publication activity with the accessed information, identifying a
type associated with the recent content publication activity.

[0023] Determining that the publishing online identity has engaged in
recent content publication activity may include determining that the
publishing online identity has engaged in activity directed to an
intermediary for access by other online identities.

[0024] Determining that the publishing online identity has engaged in
recent content publication activity may include determining that the
publishing online identity has engaged in creation of at least one of a
digital asset, a communication tool, and a community-related asset.
Determining that the publishing online identity has engaged in recent
content publication activity may include determining that the publishing
online identity has engaged in creation of a digital asset that includes
an electronic file stored in an electronic data store and associated with
the publishing online identity. Determining that the publishing online
identity has engaged in recent content publication activity may include
determining that the publishing online identity has engaged in creation
of a communication tool that includes an electronic implement used by the
publishing online identity to communicate with other online identities
and engage in social networking. Social networking may occur if the
publishing online identity communicates with other online identities,
views digital assets associated with other online identities, or shares
digital assets with other online identities. Determining that the
publishing online identity has engaged in recent content publication
activity may include determining that the publishing online identity has
engaged in creation of a community-related asset that includes content
shared among the publishing online identity and other online identities.

[0025] Determining that the publishing online identity has engaged in
recent content publication activity may include determining that the
publishing online identity has engaged in recent content publication
activity that includes an addition, deletion, or change to a digital
asset, a communication tool, or a community-related asset.

[0026] Determining that the publishing online identity has engaged in
recent content publication activity may include determining that the
publishing online identity has engaged in recent content publication
activity that includes creation of, or an update to, a third party
service provider account owned by the publishing online identity.

[0027] Determining a type associated with the recent content publication
activity may include determining a classification for the recent content
publication activity. Determining a type associated with the recent
content publication activity may include determining a characterization
for the recent content publication activity.

[0028] In a fourth general aspect, recent content publication activity by
a publishing online identity is indicated. In response to determining
that the publishing online identity has engaged in recent content
publication activity, a type of recent content publication activity
associated with the recent content publication activity is determined. An
indication that the publishing online identity has engaged in recent
content publication activity is generated. The indication may include an
identifier corresponding to the publishing online identity and
information that enables display of the type of recent content
publication activity engaged in by the publishing online identity.
Co-user online identifiers that are associated with a second online
identity and that are included by the second online identity in a co-user
list that reveals to the second online identity an online availability of
co-user online identities corresponding to the co-user online identifiers
within the co-user list are accessed. In response to determining that the
identifier corresponding to the publishing online identity is included
among the co-user online identifiers included in the co-user list,
publication preference information associated with the publishing online
identity is accessed. Based on the publication preference information,
and in response to determining whether the publishing online identity
desires to make the recent content publication activity accessible to at
least one other online identity, co-user list preference information
associated with the second online identity is accessed. Based on the
preference information, and determining whether the second online
identity desires to receive an indication of recent content publication
activity, a representation of the type is rendered in association with
the identifier in the co-user list to indicate to the second online
identity that the publishing online identity has engaged in the recent
content publication activity.

[0029] Implementations of any of the techniques described may include a
method or process, an apparatus or system, or computer software on a
computer-accessible medium. The details of particular implementations are
set forth below. Other features will be apparent from the description and
drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a co-user list configured to
provide recent content publication activity information for one or more
co-users.

[0031]FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a graphical user interface (GUI)
configured to provide a user with recent content publication activity
information for co-users known to the user.

[0032]FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a user profile that provides
information associated with a co-user.

[0033]FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a GUI that includes a co-user list
and a co-user recent content publication activity profile.

[0034]FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a profile for a co-user Stephanie.

[0035]FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a co-user information window
configured to show status and recent content publication activity
information for a group of co-users.

[0036]FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a co-user list that includes a
co-user information ticker configured to provide recent content
publication activity information for co-users known to a user who owns
the co-user list.

[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a GUI that represents a desktop
display including a co-user information ticker.

[0038]FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a GUI structured and arranged to
enable a user to specify whether, and how, information regarding the
user's recent content publication activity may be presented to other
users.

[0039]FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a GUI structured and arranged to
enable a user to specify privacy settings for recent content publication
activity information that may be provided to one or more co-users.

[0040]FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a communications system that
includes a host configured to monitor a content source to identify recent
content publication activity by one or more co-users and provide
information associated with the recent content publication activity to a
client for presentation to a user.

[0041]FIG. 12 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a process by
which recent content publication activity information for a co-user is
displayed.

[0042]FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a GUI that includes a display by
which a user is enabled to search information associated with content
publication activity by one or more co-users who are known to the user.

[0043]FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a GUI structured and arranged to
enable a user to search information associated with content publication
activity by one or more co-users who are known to the user.

[0044]FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a co-user list configured to
notify a user of recent content publication activity that is related to a
recent search performed by the user.

[0045]FIG. 16 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a process by
which content publication activities that relate to a query are provided
to a user as search results for the query.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Collecting and distributing information related to recent content
publication activity of an instant messaging (IM) user provides other
users in a network with timely, relevant information about people known
to the user or within the same social network. A user participating in a
social network can quickly and efficiently perceive new information
related to other users (referred to as co-users) in a social network by
reviewing the co-users' recent content publication activity. A user can,
for example, learn new facts about a co-user and also become aware of new
content by reviewing information associated with a co-user's recent
content publication activity. A user may be made able to do so without
requiring the co-user to send a communication directly to the user
regarding the new facts or new content, and also without requiring the
user to actively browse or request information about the co-user.

[0047] A host is configured to collect and syndicate (or otherwise
publish) information relating to the recent content publication activity
of a co-user. If a co-user performs an activity, information about the
activity is collected and distributed (or otherwise made perceivable) in
a format capable of being perceived by other users (e.g., those in a
common social network). The information collected may relate to a
co-user's recent content publication activity in the co-user's community,
communication with other users, or digital assets, and may include, for
example, recent content publication activity with respect to a journal
entry, a user profile, a music playlist, an away message, a feed
subscription, a picture or photograph, or a blog post. For example, if a
co-user adds a photograph to a photograph album within the co-user's
digital assets or makes a new blog post, information related to the new
assets is collected. The collected information then is provided in a feed
(e.g., an RSS or other protocol/format feed) and made available to other
users in the social network.

[0048] The collected information may be provided in a co-user feed area,
in Portal xpRSS, in user profiles (e.g., an AOL Member Directory profile,
an AOL Instant Message (AIM) Space Page, an AIM Page Personal Profile, a
Buddy Info Personal Profile, an AIM Buddy Info window), in an away
message window, or as an icon associated with a screen name displayed in
a list of co-users. For example, if a co-user updates the co-user's
assets as discussed above, an icon indicating that thee update took place
may be displayed proximate to a screen name associated with the co-user
in a list of co-users (e.g., an AOL or AIM Buddy List). By this
operation, other users in a social network may be notified of a co-user's
recent content publication activity without the co-user having to
independently contact all of the users in the social network.

[0049] In some implementations, the notification may provide users with
information related only to that portion of the co-user's assets that
have changed or were created due to the recent content publication
activity. For example, if a co-user has added a new photograph to a
photograph album, other users may receive a notification directly related
to the single new photograph (e.g., a thumbnail image of the new
photograph or a link that directly refers to the new photograph).
Additionally, or alternatively, the notification may provide users with
information related to the asset that has been changed or updated. In the
new photograph example, other users may receive a notification including
a link to a welcome screen associated with the co-user's photograph
albums or thumbnail images of the top 10 photographs in the co-user's
albums, which may or may not include the newly added photograph.

[0050] Techniques are provided for indicating recent content publication
activity by a co-user. An indication that the user has engaged in recent
content publication activity is received. A screen name (or an
identifier) is provided to identify the user. A type associated with the
recent content publication activity is identified and a representation of
the type is rendered in association with the screen name to indicate that
the user has engaged in the recent content publication activity.

[0051] Recent content publication activity is activity directed by a user
to an intermediary for access by co-users. For example, a user may create
a new online photograph album, or add a photograph to an existing online
photograph album so that others may access and view the newly added album
or photograph. To do so, the user accesses an electronic data store
(e.g., a remote server) in which the online photograph album is, or will
be, stored. As such, the electronic data store is an intermediary through
which the user can perform particular activities (e.g., add a new
photograph) and by which co-users can access information associated with
the particular activities (e.g., view a newly added photograph). Thus,
co-users can receive information associated with recent content
publication activity of the user without the user directing the recent
content publication activity (or an indication thereof) to one or more
particular co-users.

[0052] Other examples of recent content publication activity include (1)
emailing a weblog post to a weblog service to be included in the user's
weblog, (2) creation of a third party service provider account by the
user where the creation of the account creates a profile, web page, or
other central location where the user may interact with the features of
the account, and (3) indicating that the user viewed a feed or a web page
by publishing an identifier of the feed or a uniform resource locator
(URL) of the web page in a user profile associated with the user. As
described above, these activities by the user are not directed to one or
more particular co-users (in contrast to an email or an instant message,
which is always directed to one or more particular co-users), but rather
are directed by the user to an intermediary. Co-users then may access the
content by accessing the intermediary. In some implementations, the
intermediary may perform screening operations in order to limit access by
co-users to the published content based on preferences of the publishing
user or the co-users.

[0053] Co-user list 100 of FIG. 1 is configured to provide recent content
publication activity information for one or more co-users. Co-user list
100 belongs to a user who is represented by a screen name "MMcNeil2" 110.
Co-user list 100 includes a listing of individual co-user names 120 for
co-users who are known to user MMcNeil2 and are currently logged in to
the social network (e.g., are "online"). Co-users are identified in
co-user list 100 by an identifier (e.g., a screen name) associated with
the user, such as, for example, the user "cblouch" or by a name selected
by the owner of the co-user list 100, such as, for example, user
"Lauren." Owner-selected names for users may be presented in quotation
marks to indicate that these names are not screen names chosen by the
particular co-user to which the name refers, but rather indicators
selected by the owner of the co-user list 100.

[0054] In association with the display of the co-user names 120 in the
co-user list 100, recent content publication activity information also is
displayed. For example, a recent content publication activity icon 121 is
displayed next to the name of co-user cblouch in the co-user list 100. A
recent content publication activity icon indicates a type of recent
content publication activity in which a particular co-user has engaged
and which is available for review by the owner of a co-user list. For
example, a pushpin recent content publication activity icon 121 is
displayed next to the co-user name cblouch. A pushpin recent content
publication activity icon indicates that the co-user has posted a new
message to an online message board. Other examples of recent content
publication activity icons, and types of recent content publication
activity referred to thereby, are as follows in Table 1. This list is not
exhaustive and other recent content publication activity icons may be
used to reference the listed recent content publication activity types or
additional recent content publication activity types.

TABLE-US-00001
TABLE 1
Recent Content Publication
Activity Icon Recent Content Publication Activity Type
star user profile update
creation of a new user profile
speech bubble new journal/blog entry
creation of a new journal or blog
music note new song added to a playlist
new playlist created
camera new photograph added to album
new photograph album created
exclamation point next to any indicates highly important or
icon substantial recent content publication
activity
circle around any icon indicates moderately important or
non-substantial recent content publication
activity

[0055] In some implementations, recent content publication activity icons
may be created or customized by the owner of the co-user list 100. The
owner of the co-user list 100 may be enabled to select an icon from among
a collection of existing icons to be displayed in association with a
particular screen name when the co-user associated with the particular
screen name has engaged in recent content publication activity of a
particular type. For example, rather than using the music note recent
content publication activity icon to indicate a new song being added to a
playlist, the owner of co-user list 100 may select a Madonna recent
content publication activity icon since Madonna is the owner's favorite
singer. In some implementations, the owner of the co-user list 100 also
may be enabled to customize existing recent content publication activity
icons for a particular purpose. For example, if a particular co-user has
posted a new message to an online message board, and the new message is
related to politics, the owner of the co-user list 100 may cause a red,
white, and blue pushpin icon to be provided in association with the
co-user's screen name in the co-user list 100, rather than the generic,
single-colored pushpin that is generally associated with a new online
message board posting.

[0056] In some implementations, the owner of the co-user list 100 may be
enabled to create a new recent content publication activity icon and
indicate a type of recent content publication activity to be represented
by the icon. For example, the owner of the co-user list 100 may generate
a new icon based on an image of the owner's best friend. Whenever recent
content publication activity has been performed by the owner's best
friend, the new icon may be provided in the co-user list 100 in
association with a screen name that identifies the owner's best friend.
In another example, the owner of the co-user list 100 may generate a new
icon based on an image of the owner's favorite car and may indicate that
any recent content publication activity associated with cars or
transportation should be identified using the new icon.

[0057] A user may adjust the user's social network by adding or deleting
co-users from the co-user list 100. If the user adds a new co-user to the
co-user list 100, the user may be provided with recent content
publication activity information for the new co-user if, and when, the
co-user engages in recent content publication activity, as discussed
above. Additionally, at the time that the new co-user is added to the
co-user list 100, information associated with all current and past
content publication activity performed by the new co-user may be provided
to the user. As such, recent content publication activity icons may be
displayed next to the name of the new co-user in the co-user list 100 for
each type of content publication activity currently associated with the
new co-user. In some implementations, the content publication activity
icons may be displayed for a limited amount of time after the new co-user
is added to co-user list 100. Additionally, or alternatively, information
associated with the current and past content publication activity of the
new co-user may be provided to the user in a web display (e.g., as shown
in one of FIGS. 2-5), an e-mail or instant message directed to the user,
or in some other manner.

[0058] For example, user MMcNeil2 may add co-user NewFriend to the co-user
list 100. Co-user NewFriend may currently be engaging in (or may have
previously engaged in) content publication activity associated with
updating a user profile, adding new entries to a blog, and adding new
photographs to a photograph album. As such, recent content publication
activity icons related to each of the three recent content publication
activity types (e.g., a star icon for the content publication activity
associated with the user profile, a speech bubble icon for the content
publication activity associated with the blog entries, and a camera icon
for the content publication activity associated with the photograph icon)
may be displayed in association with the co-user name NewFriend in the
co-user list 100. Thus, upon adding co-user NewFriend to co-user list
100, the user MMcNeil2 may be notified that co-user NewFriend has
previously engaged in, or is currently engaging in, content publication
activity associated with a user profile, a blog, and a photograph album.
As the co-user NewFriend engages in future content publication activity,
recent content publication activity icons may be displayed in the co-user
list 100 in association with the co-user name NewFriend, as discussed
above.

[0059] In some implementations, the owner of the co-user list 100 may
select a recent content publication activity icon by, for example,
hovering a pointer device (e.g., a mouse) over the icon. Doing so enables
the user to receive detailed information about the recent content
publication activity icon, such as, for example, an indication of the
recent content publication activity type represented by the icon, an
indication of content associated with the recent content publication
activity being referred to by the icon, or a link, or other mechanism, by
which the user may access the content associated with the recent content
publication activity. For example, user MMcNeil2 may hover a mouse
pointer over the recent content publication activity icon 122 displayed
in association with co-user name Erin Kilpatrick. In response, a tooltip
or other indicator (not shown) may be provided to indicate that the star
recent content publication activity icon 122 represents an update to
co-user Erin Kilpatrick's user profile. The star recent content
publication activity icon 122 also may provide a link to content
associated with the recent content publication activity (e.g., a link to
the co-user Erin Kilpatrick's user profile or a link directly to the new
information that has been added to the user profile). In some
implementations, a recent content publication activity icon may dim or
disappear after a user views content associated with the recent content
publication activity or otherwise indicates that the information has been
considered.

[0060] Moreover, a user may contact (e.g., by IM, email or even telephone)
a co-user if the user realizes that the user and the co-user share a
similar interest based on the information obtained by the user relating
to the co-user's recent content publication activity. In this way,
display of a recent content publication activity icon fosters an increase
in social networking and communication between users at times when the
users may not have otherwise communicated. An increase in social
networking may be detected based on, for example, a total number of
communications (e.g., instant messages or emails) that are sent by users
during a particular time period and whether the total number exceeds a
particular threshold, a number of communications sent from one user to
another during a particular time period and whether the number exceeds a
particular threshold, an increase in the number of total communications
sent by users over two time periods (e.g., comparison between a first
one-day total and a second, subsequent one-day total), an increase in the
number of communications sent from one user to another over two time
periods, or in some other fashion involving a number of communications.
An increase in social networking also may be detected based on, for
example, an increase in a number of co-users included in a co-user list
owned by a particular user, or an increase in a number of co-users
included in co-user lists owned by all, or a subset of all, users within
a particular social network. An increase in social networking may further
be detected based on, for example, an increase in a number of access
operations (e.g., views) for content associated with recent content
publication activity of all or a subset of users.

[0061] Additionally, or alternatively, the owner of co-user list 100 may
select (e.g., by clicking on, hovering a pointer device over, or
otherwise selecting) a co-user name in order to receive information
related to the co-user. For example, user MMcNeil2 has selected co-user
name GossipyGail 123. In response, a tooltip (or pop-up notification) 124
is presented to user MMcNeil2. The tooltip 124 displays information about
co-user GossipyGail including how long the co-user has been online (e.g.,
6 hours, 52 mins), how long the co-user has gone without engaging in an
instant messaging communications session, which is referred to as being
idle (e.g., 1 hour, 33 mins), and recent content publication activity
information, referred to as "What's New," about the co-user (e.g., user
profile update). The recent content publication activity information
provided in tooltip 124 is the same as that indicated by the star recent
content publication activity icon 125 displayed in association with
co-user name GossipyGail in the co-user list 100.

[0062] Another form of recent content publication activity information
relates to an availability status (e.g., online, offline, available, or
away) indicator. For example, an away icon 130 may be displayed to
indicate that co-user Scott Levine is not currently available to engage
in an instant messaging communications session and has provided a message
(e.g., an away message) explaining the co-user's absence or providing
some other information to other users while the co-user is away. In
another example, a co-user name may be dimmed or otherwise altered in
display (not shown) to indicate that the co-user has been idle or away
for more than a predetermined period of time, which may be set by
default, by the co-user or by the owner of the co-user list 100.

[0063] Other types of recent content publication activity include, but are
not limited to (1) creation of a third party service provider account
(e.g., creation of a MySpace account, a Friendster account, a Facebook
account, a Flickr account, or an Ebay account), (2) updating information
associated with a third party service provider account (e.g., adding
photographs to a MySpace or Flickr account or bidding on an item through
Ebay), (3) updating particular modules of a user profile (e.g., a
favorite books module, a links module, or a wishlist module), (4) adding
a calendar entry (e.g., adding an appointment to a calendar), (5)
changing an online radio configuration or preferences (e.g., AOL Radio),
(6) changing expressions (e.g., changing wallpaper, avatar, emoticon
styles, or associated music), (7) creating or changing subscriptions to a
third party information provider (e.g., renewing a subscription to the
Wall Street Journal RSS feed or adding a city to a weather alert
service), (8) updating of current capability status (e.g., indicating the
co-user is currently able to participate in an online talk session or
file transfer or indicating the co-user is currently receiving email or
instant messages on a mobile device), and (9) reconfiguring a co-user
list (e.g., adding or removing co-users from a co-user list).

[0064] Recent content publication activity generally falls within one or
more of three categories: (1) community, (2) communication, and (3)
digital assets. Recent content publication activity may be
community-related if the recent content publication activity affects a
co-user's social network. For example, updating a user profile to
indicate a new favorite band may increase the co-user's interaction with
the co-user's social network by enabling other fans of the band to
contact the co-user to discuss music. The other fans may do so by sending
the co-user an instant message, an email, a text (e.g., SRS) message, or
by requesting to speak with the co-user by, for example, requesting a
talk session (e.g., via AIM Talk) or placing a telephone call to a phone
number listed in a user profile associated with the co-user.

[0065] In another example, adding a co-user to a co-user list owned by a
user increases the number of people in the user's social network by the
one co-user added to the co-user list (or the number of co-users known to
that co-user). Recent content publication activity may be
communication-related (e.g., the recent content publication activity is
associated with a communication tool) if the recent content publication
activity communicates new or updated information to other co-users. For
example, a user may create a new journal or blog entry announcing the
birth of the user's child, to which other co-users known to the user, or
in the general public, can comment, thus increasing communication between
the user and others in the user's social network. Recent content
publication activity may be related to a user's digital assets if the
activity affects one or more digital assets. For example, a user may add
a photograph to an existing photograph album, add a song to a playlist,
or add a poem to an online collection of writing.

[0066] GUI 200 of FIG. 2 is configured to provide a user with recent
content publication activity information for co-users known to the user.
More particularly, GUI 200 provides a user with feeds that include
information associated with co-users known to the user.

[0067] In general, a feed, or a web feed, is a data format used for
serving users with frequently-updated content. A user may indicate that
the user wishes to receive the information provided by the feed by
subscribing to the feed. The user then may be presented with new content
as it is available. If the user no longer wishes to receive the
information being provided by the feed, the user may simply unsubscribe
from the feed. Feeds may be provided in a variety of formats including,
for example, RSS (which stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site
Summary), Torrent/RSS, or Atom.

[0068] GUI 200 provides a feed of information for three co-users:
ChattingChuck 210, InternetAnne 220, and GossipyGail 230. For each
co-user, an image (e.g., an avatar or icon) 211, 221, and 231, a status
indication (e.g., offline, online, away, or available) 212, 222, and 232,
and a message (e.g., an away or status message) 213, 223, and 233 is
provided. If one of these elements, such as, for example, an image, is
not available for a particular user, the feed may be provided without
such element.

[0069] For each of the three co-uses, a list of recent content publication
activity types 214, 224, and 234, is also provided. In some
implementations, the recent content publication activity type lists may
be a list of information subscribed to by the user for each co-user. For
example, a user has subscribed to profile updates, journal entry updates,
message board posts, music updates, photograph albums, and feeds received
by the co-user, for co-user ChattingChuck 210, as shown at 214. In other
words, the user wishes to receive recent content publication activity
information for these types of recent content publication activity of
co-user ChattingChuck 210. In addition to subscribing to particular types
of recent content publication activity for particular co-users, users may
search feeds and choose to only receive or highlight new feed activity
that meets a certain criteria, thereby enabling users to filter feeds and
quickly learn of information that the user finds particularly
interesting. Because recent content publication activity information is
provided to a user via a feed, users in a social network may only elect
to receive information relating to a co-user's recent content publication
activity that the user has not previously received.

[0070] Additionally, or alternatively, users may be able to set
permissions regarding what activities are published and to which other
co-users the activities are published. As such, the recent content
publication activity type lists 214, 224, and 234 may include recent
content publication activity types that the co-user has granted
permission for other users to receive. For example, InternetAnne 220 may
have granted permission for other users to view recent content
publication activity with respect to those types listed in recent content
publication activity type list 224.

[0071] In some implementations, recent content publication activity
information may be translated into syndication. For example, the
information may not include the actual content associated with all of the
recent content publication activity of a particular co-user, but instead
may simply indicate an amount of recent content publication activity
(e.g., a number of content items that have been affected by recent
content publication activity or an indication that the particular co-user
has engaged in a large, or small, amount of recent content publication
activity).

[0072] Content associated with a most recent content publication activity
215, 225, and 235 also is provided for each of the three co-users.
Co-user ChattingChuck 210 most recently (at 11:40 AM on May 4, 2005)
added a new journal entry that includes the heading "Star Wars Return of
the Sith." Co-user InternetAnne 220 most recently (at 9:P42 AM on May 4,
2005) created a new message board post that includes the question
"Remember that little business venture I posted about awhile back?"
Co-user GossipyGail 230 most recently (at 6:51 AM on May 4, 2005) created
and posted a new away message that begins with the message "back in a
little while . . . "

[0073] In some implementations, the collected recent content publication
activity information for one or more co-users may be provided to third
party feed readers to reach a greater number of users or reach entities
interested in co-user interests, such as, for example, merchandise
retailers or companies that provide targeted advertising. Privacy
concerns may be addressed by requiring a co-user's authorization before
recent content publication activity information associated with the
co-user is provided to the third party feed readers or to third party
feed readers that are subscribed to by commercial entities.

[0076] Recent content publication activity information 350 associated with
co-user Annie is also included in user profile 300. For example, co-user
Annie has recently added a new journal entry, added a message board post,
and received a message from a feed to which the co-user Annie is
subscribed. User profile 300 also includes recent content publication
activity information 360 for co-user Annie for particular types of
content, such as, for example, journal recent content publication
activity information 361 (e.g., shows at least a portion of one or more
most recent journal entries), playlist recent content publication
activity information 362 (e.g., shows at least a portion of a current
playlist or recent changes to a playlist), feed recent content
publication activity information 363 (e.g., shows at least a portion of
information received by the co-user from feeds to which the co-user is
subscribed and shows changes in the co-user's feed subscriptions), and
favorites/links recent content publication activity information 364
(e.g., shows at least a portion of changes in the co-user's favorite web
pages).

[0077] User profile 300 also includes a list of co-users 370 known to the
co-user Annie. The list of co-users 370 includes co-user names and recent
content publication activity icons, as described above with respect to
co-user list 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the list of co-users 370
includes co-user GossipyGail 371. Displayed in association with co-user
name GossipyGail is a recent content publication activity icon that
indicates an update to the co-user GossipyGail's user profile, and an
indication that co-user GossipyGail is available (e.g., the small icon of
a buddy).

[0078] GUI 400 of FIG. 4 includes a co-user list 410 and a co-user recent
content publication activity profile 420. A user may select a particular
co-user 415 from within the co-user list 410, as described above with
respect to co-user list 100 of FIG. 1. Upon selection of co-user 415
(e.g., co-user GossipyGail), the user may be presented with a co-user
recent content publication activity profile 420 for the selected co-user
415.

[0079] The co-user recent content publication activity profile 420
includes information related to the co-user 415, such as co-user name
GossipyGail 421, an image 422 associated with the co-user, and an away
message 423. The co-user recent content publication activity profile 420
also includes static "about-me" information 424, which lists the
co-user's name as Gail, gender as female, and location as Sedona, Ariz. A
link 425 to a user profile associated with the co-user GossipyGail is
also provided.

[0080] Also included in the co-user recent content publication activity
profile 420 is recent content publication activity information. The
recent content publication activity information includes a latest journal
entry 426 entitled "Blossum Kings," including a link 427 to view the
co-user's journal, a new music update 428 listing the co-user's favorite
songs, and a new message board post 429 regarding the co-user's business
venture.

[0081] Co-user profile 500 of FIG. 5 shows a profile for co-user
Stephanie. Co-user profile 500 is another example of a window that may be
provided in response to selection of a co-user from within a co-user
list. Co-user profile 500 includes a message 510 from co-user Stephanie
"My name is Stephanie and I love to bake . . . " and a co-user (or buddy)
update 520 that indicates that co-user Stephanie has added a new recipe
to her recipe blog and includes a link to view the new recipe.

[0083] Co-user list 700 of FIG. 7 includes a co-user information ticker
configured to provide recent content publication activity information for
co-users known to a user who owns the co-user list 700. Co-user list 700
is similar to co-user list 100 of FIG. 1 and includes names 710 of
co-users who are known to the user MMcNeil2, who owns the co-user list
700.

[0085] In some implementations, the amount of information provided by
co-user information ticker 720 may be adjusted based on preference
information. For example, a particular user may indicate that the user
desires to view no more than a threshold number (e.g., 100) of items in
the co-user information ticker 720 during a particular time period (e.g.,
24 hours). In another example, the particular user may indicate that the
user desires to view only information associated with particular co-users
or particular content in the co-user information ticker 720.
Additionally, or alternatively, the amount of information provided by the
co-user information ticker 720 may be determined based on a threshold
level of information. The threshold level of information may be a level
that has been determined to be useful to a majority of users. A useful
level of information may, for example, include an amount of information
that is large enough to be of interest to a user, but small enough to not
be overwhelming. In some implementations, a user can adjust the threshold
level based on the user's personal preferences.

[0087] By selecting a co-user's name within co-user information ticker
720, a user may view content associated with the co-user's recent content
publication activity and/or communicate with the co-user by, for example,
initiating an instant messaging communications session or by some other
means (not shown). For example, user MMcNeil2 selects co-user name
bark157 within co-user information ticker 720 and is provided with a blog
entry authored by co-user bark157 detailing his experiences on a dating
website. In response to viewing this content, user MMcNeil2 sends an
instant message (or email or text message) to co-user bark157 with a
message requesting additional information about co-user bark157's
experiences.

[0088] GUI 800 of FIG. 8 represents a desktop display that includes a
co-user information ticker 830. More particularly, GUI 800 is configured
to display program and file icons (e.g., icons 811-813), as well as
windows that display currently active programs (e.g., browser window 820
showing a web page www.aim.com). GUI 800 also displays co-user
information ticker 830, which provides recent content publication
activity information for co-users known to a user whose desktop display
is being shown by GUI 800.

[0089] Co-user information ticker 830 of FIG. 8 is similar to co-user
information ticker 720 of FIG. 7. However, rather than being displayed as
part of a co-user list (e.g., co-user list 700 of FIG. 7), co-user
information ticker 830 is displayed as a scroll bar at the bottom of a
desktop display. Since co-user information ticker 830 is allowed to
occupy a relatively larger display area than co-user information ticker
720 of FIG. 7, co-user information ticker 830 provides the user with
instructions that invite the user to "Click on screen name to view the
co-user's new online activity or click here to open co-user list and send
an IM."

[0090] GUI 900 of FIG. 9 is structured and arranged to enable a user to
specify whether, and how, information associated with the user's recent
content publication activity may be presented to other users. More
particularly, GUI 900 enables a user to identify third party services for
which the user wishes recent content publication activity to be published
to other users.

[0091] A user may hold accounts with various third party service providers
in addition to the user's instant messaging or online service provider
accounts. An indication of creation of, or changes to, a particular third
party account held by the user, may be provided to other users who also
have accounts with the particular third party service providers. However,
the user may wish to provide information related to recent content
publication activity for the user's third party service provider accounts
to other users who may, or may not, also have accounts with the third
party service providers. Thus, in some implementations, the third party
service provider accounts held by the user may be linked to the user's
instant messaging or online service provider accounts in order to provide
an indication of recent content publication activity to co-users who have
a relationship with the user (e.g., have included the user on a co-user
list).

[0092] To cause such linking to occur, the user may select one or more of
a variety of known third party service providers 910 for which updates
associated with the user's account are to be published to other users.
For example, the user may choose to publish updates to accounts the user
holds on Flickr, del.icio.us, or LiveJournal. Upon selection of a
particular third party service provider, such as MySpace blog 911, a user
is presented with a login pop-up window 912. The login pop-up window
requests that the user provide information related to the user's third
party account, such as, for example, a user ID and password (not shown).
Here, the user has entered the user ID "StephanieBlogger" for the user's
MySpace blog account.

[0093] Additionally, the user may choose to publish updates associated
with one or more feeds 920. For example, the user may maintain a personal
web page and may provide an RSS feed that provides information about the
web page content. As such, the user may list this custom web page feed in
GUI 900 in order to publish the user's recent content publication
activity with respect to the user's web page for other users to view. As
shown, the user has no custom feeds saved 921. To add a custom feed, the
user can enter a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the feed
in the text entry box 922.

[0094] GUI 1000 of FIG. 10 is structured and arranged to enable a user to
specify privacy settings for recent content publication activity
information that may be provided to one or more co-users. More
particularly, a user may use GUI 1000 to indicate types of recent content
publication activity 1010 that may be published, recent content
publication activity content 1020 that may be published, and co-users
1030 who may receive or access recent content publication activity
information for the user.

[0095] Section 1010 of GUI 1000 enables a user to select particular types
of recent content publication activity information to be published. In
the example shown, the user has chosen to publish recent content
publication activity related to away messages, the user's profile,
journal entries, and photographs. However, the user has chosen not to
publish recent content publication activity related to message board
posts, a favorites list, the user's RSS feed subscriptions, and third
party service provider accounts. In some implementations, if a user
selects to publish recent content publication activity information for
the user's third party service provider accounts, the user may be
presented with GUI 900 of FIG. 9 to select the third party service
provider accounts for which updates are to be published, and provide
login information therefor.

[0096] Section 1020 of GUI 1000 enables a user to restrict recent content
publication activity information from being published based on content
associated with the recent content publication activity. In the example
shown, the user has indicated that any recent content publication
activity associated with content that is related to work, includes adult
topics, and/or mentions particular people (the names of whom are provided
by the user in a list text entry box) should not be published. Recent
content publication activity associated with content that is related to
family, includes strong language, referencing feed subscriptions, or
includes any one of a list of user-provided words, also may be restricted
using section 1020 of GUI 1000.

[0097] Section 1030 of GUI 1000 enables a user to select particular
co-users, or classes of co-users, who may receive, or access, recent
content publication activity information associated with the user. In the
example shown, the user has indicated that recent content publication
activity information may be provided to people in a contact list (e.g.,
an address book) associated with the user, co-users associated with
particular co-user classes (e.g., the selected classes include friends,
coworkers, and law school pals), and people whose names are provided by
the user in a list text entry box. Other categories of users that may
receive, or access, recent content publication activity information
include all co-users and all users in a particular social network (e.g.,
an AIM social network, an AOL social network, or another social network
associated with a content service provider or an online service
provider). The user also may indicate that no co-users may access, or
receive, recent content publication activity information associated with
the user.

[0098] In some implementations, the user may indicate that a particular
co-user may receive, or access, recent content publication activity only
at times when the particular co-user is associated with a co-user
identity selected by the co-user from among several co-user identities
belonging to the co-user. For example, a co-user Mom may have multiple
co-user identities--namely, a teacher co-user identity (represented by
the screen name "TeacherMom"), a friend co-user identity (represented by
the screen name "FriendMom"), and a parent co-user identity (represented
by the screen name "Mom"). As such, and for example, the user may
indicate that recent content publication activity associated with a
family photo album (e.g., family content) may be received or accessed by
co-user Mom when the co-user is using the "Mom" screen name, and that
recent content publication activity associated with educational topics
may be received or accessed by co-user Mom when the co-user is using the
"TeacherMom" screen name.

[0099] The GUI 1000 also includes checkbox 1040 which enables a user to
stop all notifications of recent content publication activity from being
published. A user may choose to do so on a permanent, or temporary,
basis. For example, a user may be intent on updating a large number of
digital assets in a short period of time, and, in an effort not to
bombard the user's friends with recent content publication activity
information regarding these updates, the user may select checkbox 1040
for the time being, and then un-select checkbox 1040 when the user wishes
to reinstate normal settings regarding recent content publication
activity information.

[0100] Communications system 1100 of FIG. 11 includes a host 1130
configured to monitor a content source 1140 to identify recent content
publication activity by one or more co-users and provide information
associated with the recent content publication activity to a client 1110
for presentation to a user.

[0101] Each of the client 1110 and the host 1130 may be implemented by,
for example, a general-purpose computer capable of responding to and
executing instructions in a defined manner, a personal computer, a
special-purpose computer, a workstation, a server, a device, a component,
other equipment or some combination thereof capable of responding to and
executing instructions. The client 1110 and host 1130 may be configured
to receive instructions from, for example, a software application, a
program, a piece of code, a device, a computer, a computer system, or a
combination thereof, which independently or collectively direct
operations, as described herein. The instructions may be embodied
permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, equipment,
storage medium, or propagated signal that is capable of being delivered
to the client 1110 or the host 1130.

[0102] The client 1110 may include one or more devices capable of
accessing content on the host 1130. The host 1130 may include a
general-purpose computer (e.g., a personal computer (PC)) capable of
responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner, a
workstation, a notebook computer, a PDA ("Personal Digital Assistant"), a
wireless phone, a component, other equipment, or some combination of
these items that is capable of responding to and executing instructions.

[0103] In one implementation, the client 1110 includes one or more
information retrieval software applications (e.g., a browser, a mail
application, an instant messaging client, an Internet service provider
client, a media player, or another integrated client) capable of
receiving one or more data units. The information retrieval applications
may run on a general-purpose operating system and a hardware platform
that includes a general-purpose processor and specialized hardware for
graphics, communications and/or other capabilities. In another
implementation, the client 1110 may include a wireless telephone running
a micro-browser application on a reduced operating system with general
purpose and specialized hardware capable of operating in mobile
environments.

[0104] The network 1120 includes hardware and/or software capable of
enabling direct or indirect communications between the client 1110 and
the host 1130. As such, the network 1120 may include a direct link
between the client 1110 and the host 1130, or it may include one or more
networks or sub networks between them (not shown). Each network or sub
network may include, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway
capable of carrying and receiving data. Examples of the delivery network
include the Internet, the World Wide Web, a WAN ("Wide Area Network"), a
LAN ("Local Area Network"), analog or digital wired and wireless
telephone networks, radio, television, cable, satellite, and/or any other
delivery mechanism for carrying data.

[0105] The host 1130 may include a general-purpose computer having a
central processor unit (CPU), and memory/storage devices that store data
and various programs such as an operating system and one or more
application programs. Other examples of a host 1130 includes a
workstation, a server, a special purpose device or component, a broadcast
system, other equipment, or some combination thereof capable of
responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. The host
1130 also may include an input/output (I/O) device (e.g., video and audio
input and conversion capability), and peripheral equipment such as a
communications card or device (e.g., a modem or a network adapter) for
exchanging data with the network 1120.

[0106] The host 1130 is generally capable of executing instructions under
the command of a controller. The host 1130 may be used to provide content
to the client 1110. The controller may be implemented by a software
application loaded on the host 1130 for commanding and directing
communications exchanged with the client 1110. Other examples of the
controller include a program, a piece of code, an instruction, a device,
a computer, a computer system, or a combination thereof, for
independently or collectively instructing the client 1110 or the host
1130 to interact and operate as described. The host 1130 may be embodied
permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or
virtual equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal capable of
providing instructions to the client 1110 or the host 1130.

[0107] The host 1130 is configured to access and monitor a content source
1140. The content source 1140 represents one or more data stores
configured to store community assets, communication assets, and digital
assets that are owned by co-users. The one or more data stores may be
located on the host 1130, at a remote server, on a client device,
associated with a particular third party service provider, or otherwise
configured to store such assets and information.

[0108] As a co-user creates or edits information related to the co-user's
community, communication with others, or digital assets (e.g., engages in
recent content publication activity), the content source 1140 is
configured to acknowledge this recent content publication activity due to
the storage of an asset to which the recent content publication activity
relates at the content source 1140. For example, if a particular co-user
adds a photograph to a photograph album owned by the particular co-user,
the content source 1140 acknowledges the recent content publication
activity performed by the particular co-user.

[0109] As such, and in some implementations, the host 1130 may monitor the
content source 1140 in order to receive indications of recent content
publication activity by particular co-users. For example, the host 1130
may monitor the content source 1140 for recent content publication
activity related to co-user GossipyGail. If the content source 1140
acknowledges recent content publication activity performed by co-user
GossipyGail, the host 1130 may produce an indication of the recent
content publication activity based on the monitoring. Additionally, or
alternatively, the content source 1140 may access a host subscription
list to determine whether to provide the host 1130 with an indication of
recent content publication activity for a particular co-user if such
recent content publication activity is acknowledged by the content source
1140. For example, the host 1130 adds the co-user name GossipyGail to a
host subscription list in order to indicate that it should receive
indications from the content source 1140 for recent content publication
activity related to co-user GossipyGail. If the content source 1140
acknowledges that co-user GossipyGail has engaged in recent content
publication activity, the content source 1140 accesses the host
subscription list, determines that the host 1130 desires recent content
publication activity information for GossipyGail, and provides the host
1130 with an indication of the recent content publication activity.

[0110] In some implementations, the host 1130 may include a search
component (e.g., a search engine) configured to identify and return
search results in response to receipt of a query from a user. The query
may be received by client 1110 from the user and transmitted to the host
1130 via the network 1120.

[0111] The search component may be configured to access information
associated with content publication activity of one or more co-users,
such as, for example, an index of the content publication activity of a
particular co-user. The content publication activity may be indexed on a
per-co-user basis. For example, a particular index may be generated for
all content publication activity of a particular co-user. The index may
include one or more keywords (e.g., recipes, sports, or computers) and
other information (e.g., content publication activity type, such as user
profile, photograph, or blog) associated with the content publication
activity of a co-user. Additionally, or alternatively, the search
component may be configured to directly access content associated with
content publication activity of one or more co-users. For example, the
search component may access content (e.g., text) associated with a blog
entry. The information associated with the content publication activity
of the co-users may be stored within, or in association with, content
source 1140.

[0112] The information associated with the content publication activity
accessed by the search component may be limited to information associated
with content publication activity performed by co-users who are known to
the user who has provided the query. For example, a user may request
search results for a query, and, in response, the search component may
access content publication activity information associated with co-user
online identifiers that have been included by the user in a co-user list
owned by the user. In some implementations, the search component may
access content publication activity information associated with all, or a
subset of, co-users who are known to the user who provided the query.

[0113] In some implementations, content publication activity associated
with a particular co-user may be stored local to the particular co-user,
rather than being stored in association with host 1130 (e.g., at content
source 1140). As such, the search component may be configured to access
content publication activity information for the particular co-user only
when the particular co-user is online (e.g., logged into the instant
messaging application) and the content publication activity is available
for access to the search component.

[0114] The search component may identify search results in response to a
query by identifying matches between the query and keywords included in a
particular content publication activity index or content associated with
a particular content publication activity. Additionally, or
alternatively, the search component may identify search results by
identifying similarities between the query and keywords included in a
particular content publication activity index or content associated with
a particular content publication activity.

[0115] Once the search component identifies search results, the host 1130
may be configured to transmit the search results to the client 1110 via
the network 1120. The client 1110 may be configured to receive the search
results and enable the user who provided the query to perceive the search
results.

[0116] The host 1130 may be configured to log and store instant message
(or e-mail) transcripts (including, for example, conversation text, image
descriptions, file transfer descriptions, audio files of voice-over-IP
(VoIP) conversations, and speech-to-text transcripts of VoIP
conversations) between a user and one or more co-users who are known to
the user. As such, the search component may be configured to access
stored instant message transcripts and identify transcripts that include
content that matches, or is similar to, a query provided by the user.
Upon identification of search results for a query from among the stored
transcripts, the host 1130 may be configured to transmit the transcript
search results to the client 1110 via the network 1120, as discussed
above.

[0117] Flow chart 1200 of FIG. 12 shows an example of a process by which
recent content publication activity information for a co-user is
displayed. For convenience, particular components described with respect
to FIG. 11 are referenced as performing the process of flow chart 1200.
However, similar methodologies may be applied in other implementations
where different components are used to define the structure of the
system, or where the functionality is distributed differently among the
components shown by FIG. 11.

[0118] The client 1110 receives an attempt by a first user to log into an
IM service (1210). For example, a user associated with the screen name
MMcNeil2 provides a first user name (e.g., screen name) and password to
an IM service application. The client 1110 sends the first user name and
password to the host 1130 (1215), which is received by the host 1130
(1220).

[0119] The host 1130 sends authentication and co-user list information for
the first user name to the client 1110 (1225). More precisely, the host
1130 compares the first user name and password with known user
name-password combinations, and, if a match is found, provides an
indication that the first user is authorized to access the IM service
with the first user name.

[0120] The co-user list information for the first user includes screen
names associated with co-users known to the first user (e.g., stored in a
contact list associated with the first user), as well as status
information (e.g., online, offline, available, or away) and other
identification information (e.g., away messages and avatars) associated
with each of the screen names. Based on the co-user list information,
client 1110 displays a co-user list to the first user (1230). For
example, the co-user list 100 of FIG. 1, which includes a screen name for
co-user GossipyGail, is displayed by client 1110 for first user MMcNeil2.

[0121] The content source 1140 acknowledges recent content publication
activity associated with a second user identity (1235). For example, the
content source 1140 acknowledges that co-user GossipyGail has updated a
list of favorite songs within the co-user's user profile to include the
song "Pink Cadillac" by Aretha Franklin.

[0122] The content source 1140 accesses a host subscription list to
determine whether the host 1130 seeks the recent content publication
activity information associated with the second user identity (1240). As
described above, the host 1130 may seek recent content publication
activity information for particular co-users. The particular co-users are
identified based on user preference information (e.g., co-users for which
a user is interested in receiving recent content publication activity
information, as described above) and co-user publication permissions
(e.g., recent content publication activity information that the co-user
allows to be published, as described above). Furthermore, and in some
implementations, the list of particular co-users may include only those
co-users whose screen names are presently displayed on a co-user list
(e.g., those co-users who are currently online or available). For
example, the host 1130 may seek recent content publication activity
information for co-user GossipyGail, whose screen name is currently being
displayed on the co-user list owned by user MMcNeil2. Thus, by accessing
the host subscription list, the content source 1140 determines that the
host 1130 seeks to receive recent content publication activity
information for co-user GossipyGail.

[0124] The host 1130 receives the recent content publication activity
information associated with the second user identity (1250). The host
1130 identifies one or more clients that are currently displaying a
co-user list that includes the second user identity (1255). For example,
the client 1110 is currently displaying a co-user list owned by user
MMcNeil2 that includes the screen name GossipyGail. The host 1130 sends
the recent content publication activity information and associated second
user identity to the identified clients (1260). For example, the host
1130 sends the indication that GossipyGail has updated her user profile
to the client 1110.

[0125] The client 1110 receives the recent content publication activity
information for the second user identity from the host 1130 (1265). The
client 1110 determines whether the first user desires to receive the
recent content publication activity information associated with the
second user identity (1270). For example, the client 1110 may access user
preference information for the user MMcNeil2 to determine whether the
user MMcNeil2 has indicated a preference to view recent content
publication activity information for co-user GossipyGail, and, more
particularly, whether the user MMcNeil2 has indicated a preference to
receive an indication that the co-user GossipyGail has updated her user
profile.

[0126] If the client 1110 determines that the first user wishes to receive
recent content publication activity information associated with the
second user identity, the client 1110 displays an indication of the
recent content publication activity to the first user (1275). As
described above, recent content publication activity information may
include an icon displayed in association with the second user identity in
a co-user list, an icon or text within a user profile, an icon or text
displayed along with the second user identity in a co-user information
ticker, or some other way of indicating that recent content publication
activity information is available and for a particular co-user associated
with the second user identity.

[0127] In addition to enabling a user to be notified when a co-user who is
known to the user engages in recent content publication activity, in some
implementations, the user may be enabled to search content publication
activity of the co-users known to the user for particular information. As
such, GUI 1300 of FIG. 13 illustrates a display by which a user is
enabled to search information associated with content publication
activity by one or more co-users who are known to the user. More
particularly, GUI 1300 enables a user to search for content publication
activity associated with a co-user who is included in the user's co-user
list.

[0128] GUI 1300 includes text entry field 1310 in which a user may provide
a query. For example, and as shown, a user has provided the query "creme
brulee." By selecting "Search" control (e.g., button) 1311, the user may
initiate a search for content publication activity that is related to the
query "creme brulee."

[0129] GUI 1300 also includes search results 1320 that have been
identified as being related to the query "creme brulee." Search results
1320 have been organized, and presented, based on determining that a
co-user is associated with the content publication activities that have
been provided as search results. Two items 1322 and 1323 of content
publication activity that have been identified as being related to "creme
brulee" are associated with co-user RockingRocky 1321, and three items
1325, 1326, and 1327 of content publication activity related to "creme
brulee" are associated with co-user SingingCindy 1324 For each of the
co-users associated with the content publication activity provided as
search results, information about the co-user is provided, such as, for
example, a date and time when the co-user's personal information (e.g.,
profile information) was last updated, an away message published by the
co-user, an avatar associated with the co-user, and a hyperlink to view a
user profile page associated with the co-user.

[0130] A posting on the Culinary Podcast Network 1322 and a document
entitled "Wasted Dreams" 1323, both of which are associated with co-user
RockingRocky, have been identified as being related to "creme brulee."
The items 1322 and 1323 may be associated with co-user RockingRocky
because, for example, the co-user viewed the items and applied a bookmark
or tag thereto (e.g., by bookmarking and tagging the items using
del.icio.us). In another example, the items 1322 and 1323 may be
associated with RockingRocky because the co-user posted or otherwise
created the items (e.g., the items represent posts to the co-user's
personal podcast or blog). For each of items 1322 and 1323, information,
such as a date and time when the item was posted (e.g., published) by
RockingRocky, is provided, along with details associated with the items.

[0131] The items 1325-1327 are images (e.g., photographs) that have been
added to a Flickr account associated with co-user SingingCindy. Item 1325
includes an image of co-user SingingCindy eating creme brulee in France,
and items 1326 and 1327 are images of creme brulee desserts. For each of
items 1325-1327, information, such as a date and time when the item was
posted (e.g., published) by SingingCindy, is provided along with details
associated with the items, such as a description of the images. In
addition, a thumbnail, or other preview of the image, is provided for
each item.

[0132] GUI 1300 also includes a search result summary 1330, which
indicates that five matches for the query "creme brulee" have been
identified, and that two of those matches represent content publication
activity associated with co-user RockingRocky. Three of those matches
represent content publication activity associated with co-user
SingingCindy.

[0133] In some instances, in addition to receiving indications of recent
content publication activity by co-users known to a user, the user may
desire to be specifically alerted when a co-user engages in recent
content publication activity that is related to a search that was
previously performed by the user. In some implementations, the user may
indicate that the user wishes to be notified when a co-user's recent
content publication activity is related to a particular and previously
entered query, such as, for example, the query "creme brulee." To do so,
the user may select checkbox 1340 within GUI 1300.

[0134] However, in other implementations, a user may automatically be
notified whenever a co-user who is known to the user has engaged in
recent content publication activity that is identified as being related
to a search of content publication activity that was previously performed
by the user. For example, the user may perform a search for content
publication activity related to "creme brulee" at an earlier time and
immediately be provided with search results associated with content
publication activity that has already been published by co-users
RockingRocky and SingingCindy, such as the search results shown in GUI
1300 However, at a later time, co-user GossipyGail may publish a recipe
for creme brulee to her blog. As such, and as discussed in more detail
below, the user may not only be notified that co-user GossipyGail has
engaged in recent content publication activity, as discussed above, but
also may be alerted to the fact that the recent content publication
activity by "GossipyGail" relates to the user's recent search for "creme
brulee."

[0135] A user may be notified of recent content publication activity that
is related to a prior query entered by the user based on an amount of
time that has passed since the user entered the query. For example, a
query may be stored (e.g., in a query log) for six months, after which
the user may no longer be specifically notified of recent content
publication activity that is related to the query. Additionally, or
alternatively, the user may select a time period after which queries
expire so that content publication activity associated with the query is
no longer identified for the user. Similarly, a user may be notified of
recent content publication activity that is identified as being related
to a particular number of past queries. The particular number of queries
may be selected by a user or may be a default number. For example, the
user may receive a notification of content publication activity that is
related to the past 50 queries provided by the user. As the user performs
additional searches (and enters additional queries), the list of queries
for which the user may receive specific notifications may be updated to
include the newest query and discard the oldest query. A user also may be
enabled to manually select categories or classifications of queries for
which the user desires to automatically receive notifications of related
recent content publication activity.

[0136] In some implementations, a user may be enabled to interact with
past queries that have been stored in, for example, a query log. The user
may do so via a GUI. The user's interactions with the query log may
include deleting queries from the log, or adding additional queries to
the log. The user also may be enabled to edit queries in the log, by, for
example, adding a note to a particular query that describes the
information the user was attempting to locate using the particular query,
narrowing a particular query by adding additional terms or constraints to
the particular query, or broadening a particular query by removing terms
or constraints from the particular query.

[0137] Similar to GUI 1300, GUI 1400 of FIG. 14 is structured and arranged
to enable a user to search information associated with content
publication activity by one or more co-users who are known to the user.
In GUI 1300, the search results 1320 are organized and presented to the
user based on determining that the co-users are associated with the
content publication activities provided. In GUI 1400, and in contrast,
search results 1420, which are substantively the same as search results
1320 of GUI 1300, are organized and presented to the user based on a type
of content publication activity.

[0138] As shown, search results 1420 have been organized into two
categories--namely image results 1421 and blog results 1422. For each
search result, details associated with the content publication activity,
such as a description of the search result and a preview of the search
result (e.g., a thumbnail preview of an image), as well as an indication
of the co-user associated with the content publication activity, is
provided.

[0139] GUI 1400 includes a search result summary 1430, which indicates
that five matches have been found for the query "creme brulee," and that
three of the matches are images and two of the matches are blogs.

[0140] GUI 1400 enables a user to change the organization and presentation
of the search results by selecting one of hyperlinks 1450. Hyperlinks
1450 include a "buddy" hyperlink and a "type" hyperlink. In order to view
the search results organized by type, and as shown in GUI 1400, the user
selects the "type" hyperlink. In order to view the search results
organized by co-user, and as shown in GUI 1300, the user selects the
"buddy" hyperlink.

[0141] Co-user list 1500 of FIG. 15 is configured to notify a user of
recent content publication activity that is related to a recent search
performed by the user. Co-user list 1500 includes a name associated with
a co-user GossipyGail 1510. In association with the co-user name
GossipyGail, a star recent content publication activity icon 1520 is
displayed. The star icon 1520 indicates that a user profile associated
with co-user GossipyGail has been updated.

[0142] A search notification icon 1530, in the shape of a magnifying
glass, is displayed over the star icon 1520. The search notification icon
1530 notifies the owner of co-user list 1500 that the recent content
publication activity being referenced by star icon 1520 is related to a
search that was previously performed by the user.

[0143] The owner of co-user list 1500 receives more information about the
recent content publication activity associated with GossipyGail's user
profile, including information about the search to which the search
notification icon 1530 refers. To do so, the user selects the star icon
1520 by, for example, hovering a pointer device (e.g., a mouse) over the
icon, or the user may select the co-user name GossipyGail (e.g., by
clicking on, hovering a pointer device over, or otherwise selecting).

[0144] As shown, the user has selected co-user name GossipyGail 1510. In
response, a tooltip (or pop-up or bubble notification) 1540 is presented.
The tooltip 1540 displays information about GossipyGail's recent content
publication activity, referred to as "What's New." More particularly,
tooltip 1540 indicates that the recent content publication activity
referenced by star icon 1520 is an update to a user profile and that the
search referenced by search notification icon 1530 is the user's previous
search related to the "creme brulee" query.

[0145] In some implementations, a user may be notified that recent content
publication activity by a co-user is related to a search previously
performed by the user in a manner other than display of an icon in a
co-user list. The user may receive a notification in an instant message
or e-mail sent directly to the user. The notification may be presented to
the user as part (e.g., a banner or margin) of a web page that the user
visits frequently, such as, for example, a portal. A notification may be
provided to the user as a pop-up or other indication in a GUI provided to
the user for searching recent content publication activity or web
content, such as, for example, one of GUI 1300 or GUI 1400.

[0146] Flow chart 1600 of FIG. 16 shows an example of a process by which
content publication activities that relate to a query are provided to a
user as search results for the query. For convenience, particular
components described with respect to FIG. 11 are referenced as performing
the process of flow chart 1600. However, similar methodologies may be
applied in other implementations where different components are used to
define the structure of the system, or where the functionality is
distributed differently among the components shown by FIG. 11.

[0147] Client 1110 receives a query form a user (1610). The user may enter
the query using, for example, text entry box 1310 of GUI 1300. For
example, the user provides the query "creme brulee."

[0148] Client 1110 accesses an identifier for the user (1615). The
identifier may be, for example, a screen name or other identifier (e.g.,
email address), associated with the user, and with which the user has
logged into a particular system or social network. For example, the user
may have logged into an instant messaging application (e.g., AIM) with a
particular screen name prior to entering the query. Additionally or
alternatively, the identifier may be an Internet Protocol (IP) address
associated with the client 1110, and which may be used to identify the
user.

[0149] Client 1110 sends the query and identifier to the host 1130 (1620),
which receives the query and identifier from the client 1110 (1625). The
client 1110 sends the query and the identifier to the host 1130 via the
network 1120.

[0150] Host 1130 identifies co-users associated with the identifier
(1630). For example, the host 1130 accesses a list of co-users that is
associated with the user. The co-users may be those that have been
included by the user in a co-user list, such as, for example co-user list
100 of FIG. 1 or co-user list 1500 of FIG. 15.

[0151] Host 1130 accesses information associated with content publication
activity of the identified co-users (1635). In some implementations,
content publication activity for each co-user may be indexed. For
example, one or more keywords (e.g., recipes, sports, or computers) and
other information (e.g., content publication activity type, such as user
profile, photograph, or blog) may be associated with recent content
publication activity for a particular user. In this case, host 1130 may
access such a content publication activity index for each of the
identified co-users. Additionally, or alternatively, host 1130 may
directly access content associated with the content publication
activities of the identified co-users.

[0152] In some implementations, the host 1130 also may access information
associated with the identified co-users other than content publication
activity, such as, for example, instant message (or e-mail) transcripts,
that represent conversations between the user and one or more of the
identified co-users. The transcripts may be stored on client 1110 or at
host 1130.

[0153] As the user's relationships with the co-users who are known to the
user changes (e.g., the user adds or deletes co-users from the user's
social network by, for example, adding or deleting co-users from a
co-user list owned by the user), the information associated with content
publication activity of the co-users may automatically be updated. For
example, if the user adds a new co-user to the user's co-user list,
information associated with the new co-user's content publication
activity (e.g., an index of the new co-user's content publication
activity) may automatically be added to the information accessed by host
1130 during operation 1635. Similarly, if the user deletes an old co-user
from the user's co-user list, information associated with the old
co-user's content publication activity (e.g., an index of the new
co-user's content publication activity) may automatically be removed from
the information accessed by host 1130 during operation 1635.

[0154] As discussed above, content publication activity may include feeds
from third party service provider accounts, such as, for example, a
MySpace feed that provides information related to recent content
publication activity within a co-user's MySpace profile. However, content
publication activity also may include feeds from other third parties,
such as, for example, a web site or publication (e.g., The New York Times
web site). The third party web site or publication feed may be included
in content publication activity of a particular co-user if the co-user
has subscribed to the third party feed. In some implementations, some (or
all) of the information included in the third party feed may be excluded
from the information accessed by host 1130 in operation 1635. This may be
the case because the information included in the third party feed is
generic and a search of the third party feed information may not provide
a user with information that is specific to co-users who are known to the
user. However, in some cases, if the co-user who subscribes to the third
party feed has actually viewed or bookmarked an item included in the
third party feed (e.g., a particular article published by The New York
Times web site), that item may be included in the information accessed by
host 1130 because the item was actually of interest to the co-user.

[0155] Host 1130 identifies content publication activities that relate to
the query based on the accessed information (1640). In some
implementations, the host 1130 also may identify information other than
content publication activity, such as, for example, instant message
transcripts, that relates to the query based on accessed information that
includes the other information (e.g., the instant message transcripts).

[0156] In an implementation where the host 1130 accesses an index of
content publication activity for the identified co-users, host 1130
applies the query against the index. In this way, host 1130 identifies
content publication activity having a keyword that is the same as, or
similar to, the query. In the current example, host 1130 identifies
content publication activity having the phrase "creme brulee" as a
keyword.

[0157] In an implementation where the host 1130 directly accesses content
associated with the content publication activities of the identified
co-users, host 1130 may search the content for the query. In the present
example, host 1130 identifies content publication activity that includes
content related to "creme brulee."

[0158] Host 1130 provides an indication of the identified content
publication activities, and an indication of co-users associated with the
content publication activities, to the client 1110 (1645). Host 1130 may
provide the indications to the client 1110 via the network 1120. An
indication of the identified content publication activities may include a
link or other identifier that represents the content publication activity
and enables the user to access the content publication activity.

[0159] Once host 1130 identifies content publication activity that is
related to the query, the host 1130 may identify co-users that have
published the identified content publication activity. An indication of
the co-users, such as, for example, screen names or identifiers
associated with the co-users, may be provided by the host 1130 to the
client 1110. The indications may be provided by the host 1130 to the
client 1110 via the network 1120. For example, and as shown in GUI 1300
of FIG. 13, content publication activity including two blog posts
published by co-user RockingRocky and three images published by co-user
SingingCindy may be identified by host 1130 and an indication of which
may be provided by host 1130 to client 1110 via network 1120.

[0160] Client 1110 receives the indications of the content publication
activities and the associated co-users from host 1130 (1650). Client 1110
enables the user to perceive the indications of the content publication
activities and associated co-users as search results for the query
(1655). Enabling the user to perceive the indications may include
presenting the indications to the user as search results in a GUI, such
as, for example, one of GUI 1300 or GUI 1400. As discussed above, the
search results may be organized in a variety of ways, such as, for
example, by co-user associated with the content publication activities,
by type of content publication activity, or in some other manner (e.g.,
by relevance to the query, by recency of publication, or by co-user
group).

[0161] In some implementations, a user may be enabled to direct questions
to one or more co-users who are known to the user. For example, the user
may ask "Where can I get a decent bagel in Washington, D.C.?" The user
may direct the question to all co-users known to the user (e.g., all
co-users included in a co-user list owned by the user) or a subset of the
co-users known to the user (e.g., a particular group of co-users named
"Ex-NYers" or a list of particular co-users that includes co-users named
"NY4Ever" and "BagelsNLox"). The co-users who receive the question may
respond to the user by stating, for example, "Brooklyn Bagels in
Arlington is the best place I've found."

[0162] As questions are asked and answered between the user and co-users
known to the user, the questions and answers may be stored in a question
and answer ("Q&A") database that is associated with the user. In some
implementations, when the user provides a query to search content
publication activity (or instant message transcripts), the Q&A database
also may be searched to identify questions and answers that are related
to the query.

[0163] Additionally, as a particular co-user engages in content
publication activity and answers questions directed by the user or other
co-users known to the particular co-user, topics (and categories of
topics) that are of interest to the particular co-user, and about which
the particular co-user has knowledge, may be identified. At a point at
which a particular co-user has become associated with more than a
threshold degree of content publication activity related to a topic, the
particular co-user may be deemed to have an expertise in the topic. For
example, the particular co-user may have published or updated more than a
threshold number of digital assets that are determined to be related to
the topic. More particularly, determination that the particular co-user
is an expert in the topic may be based on (1) a degree of specificity to
which the content publication activity is related to the topic, (2)
topical similarity of locations (e.g., web pages, blogs, bulletin boards)
to which content publication activity related to the topic is directed
(e.g., published), (3) an amount of content publication activity related
to the topic over a relatively long period of time (e.g., to ensure true
expertise by the particular co-user in the topic, rather than a single
experience with the topic), (4) a high degree of quality (e.g.,
thoughtfulness and insightfulness) of a relatively small number of
content publication activities related to the topic, and (5) other
information associated with the particular co-user that demonstrates an
expertise in the topic (e.g., instances of the particular co-user
answering questions related to the topic, a job or experience (e.g.,
authoring a web page, article, or book) held by the particular co-user
related to the topic, or a degree of trust by others in the particular
co-user's expertise in the topic).

[0164] For example, co-user RockingRocky may be deemed to be an expert on
vacationing in Western Europe. Co-user RockingRocky may be so identified
because (1) co-user RockingRocky has engaged in more than a threshold
degree of content publication activity related to vacationing in Western
Europe (e.g., publication of a large number of photographs showing
vacation spots in Western Europe, blog entries describing trips to
Western Europe, and answers to questions posed by others known to co-user
RockingRocky about where to stay when visiting Western Europe), (2)
co-user RockingRocky's content publication activity related to Western
European vacations has been organized by co-user RockingRocky to include
detailed tags for each content publication activity (e.g., a photograph
entitled "The Seine in Paris," a blog entry entitled "Great gelato place
in Florence," and a map pinpointing all of the places co-user
RockingRocky visited in Spain."), (3) a majority of the web pages, blogs,
and photograph albums to which co-user RockingRocky published content are
associated with vacationing, travel, and Western Europe, (4) the content
publication activity by co-user RockingRocky related to Western European
vacations spans more than five years, (5) co-user RockingRocky has
published articles in the Washington Post related to traveling in Western
Europe, and (6) other users known to co-user RockingRocky trust the
opinions and information provided by co-user RockingRocky on vacationing
in Western Europe.

[0165] Once a particular co-user has been identified as an expert in a
topic, future questions posed by others who are known to the particular
co-user that are determined to be related to the topic may be sent
directly to the particular co-user for answering. The particular co-user
may receive questions related to the topic in addition to, or instead of,
the questions being made available to all (or a user-specified subset of)
co-users known to the user who poses the question. Additionally, the
particular co-user's status as an expert in the topic may be indicated by
an icon or other display characteristic associated with the particular
co-user's name in a co-user list in which the co-user's name appears. The
particular co-user's status as an expert in the topic also may be
indicated in association with search results that include content
publication activity associated with the particular co-user, in a user
profile associated with the particular co-user, or within a instant
message communications display when the particular co-user is engaging in
an instant messaging conversation with another user. The described
systems, methods, and techniques may be implemented in digital electronic
circuitry, computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of
these elements. Apparatus embodying these techniques may include
appropriate input and output devices, a computer processor, and a
computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage
device for execution by a programmable processor. A process embodying
these techniques may be performed by a programmable processor executing a
program of instructions to perform desired functions by operating on
input data and generating appropriate output. The techniques may be
implemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on a
programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled
to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and
instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at
least one output device. Each computer program may be implemented in a
high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in
assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language
may be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include,
by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors.
Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a
read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Storage devices suitable
for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all
forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor
memory devices, such as Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM),
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flash
memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable
disks; magneto-optical disks; and Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM).
Any of the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in,
specially-designed ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).